[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower":3,"chapter-the-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-the-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-chapter-50":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","The Problematic Child of the Magic Tower",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1334838,1778,"Chapter 50","the-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-chapter-50",50,"\u003Cp>[Translator - Clara]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Proofreader - Gun]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chapter 50: Variable (4)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\".......\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kaya Lockwood momentarily thought she was dreaming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What filled her vision was a fist, but beyond it, she could catch a glimpse of a massive wave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘A mental image...?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It didn’t make sense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A mere Level 3 mage not only grasping the nature of mana but also embedding their mental image into magic was unbelievable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘If I get hit by something like that without any protection spell...’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter how skilled she was, she wouldn’t escape unscathed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her expression hardened as if time itself had stopped, like a spell had been cast.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Damn it!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar bit his lip.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His magic power had run low, causing his『Isolation Garden』spell to dissipate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were so close.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If it had lasted just one more second, or even half a second longer, she would have been caught off guard...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Regaining control of her body, Kaya quickly used 『Acceleration』 and leapt backward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ugh!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar's fist only struck her afterimage, his finishing blow missing its mark.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The proof lay in the sudden 10-meter gap that had formed between them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"......\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar examined the distance between them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kaya was also observing something similar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>More precisely, she was looking at the footprints on the snow-covered ground in front of her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those footprints were proof that she had retreated from her opponent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her heart was still pounding violently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She couldn’t tell anymore.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Am I still excited...?! Or is it the sense of danger I felt in that moment?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She slowly raised her head, staring at the genius—or rather, the monster—in front of her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What the hell are you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It didn’t make sense that a mere Level 3 mage possessed such combat intuition and situational awareness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, that final attack, which mimicked the sound of crashing waves, was a type of magic she had never encountered before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘To have created such magic at his age and level... It's not just talent.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She genuinely felt the danger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her clenched fist tightened, then relaxed repeatedly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her instincts screamed that she needed to eliminate this threat now, yet her curiosity as a mage wondered what kind of fruit this budding talent might eventually bear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"......\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar received her complex gaze directly but showed no reaction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For two reasons:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>First, he didn’t have the strength left to respond.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And second...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Ah, if I had known this would happen, I wouldn’t have pushed so hard.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because there was no longer any need for him to react.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A pitch-black sword plunged into the ground between the two of them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...The Black Sword?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kaya squinted as she recognized the weapon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As she lifted her head, the sky above Baran City was filled with colorful fireworks, and a man descended like a meteor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man, dressed in a deep navy uniform, landed in front of Oscar and the unconscious Killian as if to shield them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His short, jet-black hair matched his gaunt, indifferent face well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I am Superintendent Walker of the Imperial Ministry of Internal Affairs.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After identifying himself per the guidelines of the Ministry, he pulled the black sword out of the ground with a sharp sound.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Kaya Lockwood. I am here to arrest you for murder, arson, and 17 other charges.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>* * *\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The previously relaxed atmosphere of the forest tightened like a pulled string.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An explosive standoff where death on either side wouldn’t be surprising.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After staring at her opponent for a moment, Kaya was the first to speak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"........The Emperor's Black Sword.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing her voice filled with suppressed discomfort, Oscar was convinced.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, the imperial family had indeed sent proper reinforcements.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘A Level 7 Knight. He is no less skilled than Kaya Lockwood herself.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And that wasn't all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He could sense other mana signatures gradually converging from a distance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They seemed to be powerful figures, estimated to be at Level 5.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Even the elite of the Ministry of Internal Affairs?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kaya, sensing the same thing, furrowed her brow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dealing with just the Black Sword would be tough enough, but facing his elite squad as well would be a significant challenge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Tch.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After running through some calculations in her head, she clicked her tongue and withdrew her mana.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since the imperial family had already caught on to the Violet Brigade's involvement in the Baran City election, it wasn’t worth continuing this fight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In short, there was no profit in dragging this out any further.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sharp tension dissipated like smoke, replaced by a harmless smile on her lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Alright, I’ll call it quits. I’ll just head back quietly.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'm afraid I can’t let you leave so easily.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A wise person knows when to retreat gracefully, don't you agree?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...You’re not listening to me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ignoring Walker’s words, Kaya lifted one foot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Simultaneously, the tension that had been present before was nothing compared to what came next.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The air of the forest began to vibrate intensely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her red eyes swept over both Walker and Oscar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I won’t forget the debt from tonight. Especially you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her gaze, filled with indecision, lingered as if debating whether to kill or spare them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’ll make sure to see you again, kid.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With seven tattoos activated, Kaya executed a swift advance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A shockwave swept through the area, forcing Walker to erect a shield to protect the two behind him quickly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"........\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the dust settled, there was no trace of Kaya in the crater left behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"To think she’d resort to using hostages,\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Walker clicked his tongue lightly, his black sword losing its color and reverting to a normal appearance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he sheathed his sword, he asked Oscar,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What were you thinking, challenging that woman? You could have lost your life.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\".........\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bang! Pop-pop!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The only response was the loud sound of fireworks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Glancing back, he noticed that both Killian and Oscar had already passed out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching them for a moment, Walker quietly muttered to himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"......But they held out well.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tonight, the heroes who saved this city were the young mages of the White Tower.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>* * *\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Ah.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As always, whenever he dreamed, the atmosphere felt hazy, as if a faint filter was applied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unnecessarily so.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘The place seems to be near the outdoor training grounds.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He remembered feeling full on this day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Judging by the position of the sun overhead, it must have been shortly after lunch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was walking towards the forest area of the White Tower grounds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You startled me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He sometimes just sits quietly up there in the trees like that.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He's so brave and reliable on the battlefield, but somehow, he's intimidating to approach in everyday life.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The mages exiting the forest whispered amongst themselves and hurriedly bowed towards him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He gave a slight nod in acknowledgment and continued inside, his gaze naturally lifting towards a massive tree.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What are you doing up there?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A man wearing a white lion’s head was sitting on a thick branch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From his appearance alone, no one would think he was a mage, given his muscular build.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The impression was even stronger with his upper body bare and a robe draped over his shoulders like a cloak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'm looking at a photo.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What photo?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He lightly pushed off the ground and landed beside him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The predator's eyes slowly turned towards him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shifting his gaze to the photo the man held, he replied,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'm looking at a family photo.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don’t you ever get tired of looking at it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No, surprisingly not.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The family in the photo he glimpsed seemed very happy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An elegant wife clung to Radan's arm, and a little girl, barely three years old, was crying because she was scared of her dad’s lion mask.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Couldn't you have taken off that mask just for the photo? Kaya wouldn't cry if you did.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"......No, I can't.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Radan shook his head firmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'm the chief of the forest warriors and a representative mage of the White Tower. I need to maintain my dignity.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"In other words, you look too kind-hearted without the mask, so you don’t appear intimidating?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I wish I had a rugged, handsome face like Maxim.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"......That guy does have a manly look.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar nodded, comparing him to freshly dug new potatoes from a clean countryside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he glanced at Radan's wife and asked,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You're having another child, right?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So I heard.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That’s amazing. I’d be too scared to have kids, worried they’d turn out just like me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If they take after you, they’ll probably be very disobedient.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Radan chuckled, his shoulders shaking as he continued,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But I think it will be fine. You’ll be a good father.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What makes you think that?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I can tell from how you treat your comrades, subordinates, and students. You’ll be an even bigger doting parent than I am.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"......Shut up.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar scoffed, then asked,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's going to be a boy this time, right?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"According to the tribe’s fortune-teller, yes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Later, Kaya can walk hand in hand with him and enter the White Tower together.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I don’t intend to force my children to become mages if they don't want to.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Translator - Clara]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Proofreader - Gun]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"......But their dad is one of the White Tower's representative mages?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A dream is something you create on your own, not something your parents impose on you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Radan looked at the photo once more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Besides, if they are my children, they’ll know what honor and justice are. They’ll do well no matter what they choose.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“......Still, you should send them to the White Tower. I’ll teach them well, I promise.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'll consider it. I can trust you, after all.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A deep chuckle echoed from inside the lion's head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>* * * *\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The rustling sound made him open his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Phew, that was close.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He almost ended up fighting that brute.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking up at the ceiling, he figured it was a bedroom in the Hoover mansion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Turning to the side, he saw Killian sitting in a chair, carefully peeling an apple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He neatly placed the slices on a plate and then began eating them himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"............Isn’t it normal to peel fruit and give it to the patient?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh, you’re awake?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Killian, munching on the apple, replied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The priest said you should only have light soup for now. So, I’m eating this on your behalf.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If you’re going to eat it, why peel it and place it beside me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It tastes better this way; it feels more like a proper visit to a sick person.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\".......\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had forgotten.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A forest warrior is someone you should understand with your heart, not your head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Enjoy.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thanks. This apple is delicious.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Groaning, he tried to sit up, grimacing as he did so.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Killian spoke up,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Jake called a high-ranking priest. He recognized you and asked what kind of person you were.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"......Oh, it must be the man Marin called before.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It made sense for him to react like that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just a few days after fixing him up, here he was as a severe patient again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They said the treatment was mostly finished and that there shouldn't be any major issues.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How long was I out?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Three days.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For having been unconscious for so long, he surprisingly felt in good shape.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’d had a dream, but nothing was distorted or unpleasant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It had ended neatly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Above all, this high priest did a fine job with the healing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aside from some mild muscle pain, there wasn’t much to worry about.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How’s your condition?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A warrior of the forest recovers quickly. I was declared fully healed in two days.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Must be nice to be so sturdy. What’s the situation?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Ministry of Security’s elite squad apprehended the surviving mercenaries and raided the Sweet family. Mark Sweet has been arrested, and his secretary, terrified, confessed to all their wrongdoings.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Glad things worked out well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now there was no risk of Baran City falling into the hands of a drug cartel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\".......\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar looked at Killian thoughtfully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t seem affected by fighting against his own family.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…Or was he just pretending not to be?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hard to say which it was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One thing was clear, though: in Oscar's eyes, Killian just looked like a machine that consumed apples.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oscar, sir! You’re awake!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, Jake entered the room with a broad smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked over and asked,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Are you really okay to be up already? You’re not pushing yourself too hard, are you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’d heard this same thing from Marin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maybe this fragile-looking body of his tends to invite concern from others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’m fine, thanks to the high priest you called.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Of course. I never would’ve imagined that Mark Sweet would actually be arrested.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I told you, didn’t I? He would pay for his crimes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After exchanging smiles, Jake spoke with determination.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I always dreamed of becoming a great politician, following in my father’s footsteps, but I’ve changed my mind.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar, noticing the bright gleam in Jake’s eyes, rubbed his nose with a bit of embarrassment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though it was slightly embarrassing, he was used to hearing such things.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thank you for the compliment. If you work hard, one day, you’ll surely become as great a mage as I am.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…What? Oh, well, that would be nice, but I want to become a civil servant and join the Ministry of Security. I want to punish wrongdoers and help even one more citizen who has been wronged.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"........\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Next to him, Killian chuckled, munching on an apple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A good dream. I’m sure you’ll make a fine civil servant, Jake.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thank you. Oh, and here’s the payment I promised earlier.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside the envelope Jake handed over was a check for one million bels.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Killian’s share was 250,000.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’ve received the full commission.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’d love to give you more, but there’s a lot my family needs to deal with as well.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It’s alright. This is more than enough.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All he needed, anyway, was the 400,000 bells for the Blood Tower.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jake gave another deep bow of gratitude.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If you ever visit Baran City again, please reach out.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’ll make sure of it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes, you must! Next time, I’ll treat you to the best food in this city.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After laughing cheerfully, Jake led his attendants out of the room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then Chief Walker entered the room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Quite the price on your heads.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…Pardon?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking back and forth between my and Killian's heads, he added,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A bounty of 300,000 bels was placed on you two. A woman named Ara Sweet put it there. Do you know her?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We’ve crossed paths.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That woman will end up in prison, too. She’s killed countless people she didn’t like. Living freely outside might have been a harsher punishment.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>True enough, perhaps.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Sweet family, which was her pride, had crumbled, and many held grudges against her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And that was a good call.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What was?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The royal communication crystal. Jake Hoover told me you were the one who used it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…Ah, well, about that…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Needless to say, the code for the royal communication crystal was top secret.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If they asked me how he knew, what would he even say?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he began to sweat, Walker brushed it off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How is the Tower Master?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…Pardon?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Well, you were in a rush, so you probably didn’t have time to exchange greetings.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ah, so he thinks he asked Sasha to contact the palace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar didn’t bother to correct the misunderstanding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It’s about time I left.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Already?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Not ‘already’—I’m only now leaving. Coming here set me back on my work.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Ministry of Security must be quite busy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That must mean there’s no shortage of people to apprehend.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That must be tough.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’m just doing my job. Rest up.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Walker was about to leave the room, he suddenly stopped, looked back, and asked,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Are all mages of the White Tower like you two?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Killian glanced at me, seemingly leaving the answer to Oscar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a brief pause, Oscar asked,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What do you mean by ‘like us’?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Are they all…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Walker trailed off, shook his head, and said,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No, never mind. Rest up.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a curt farewell, Walker left the room and walked down the corridor, pausing to glance back once more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All the mages he’d known so far had been mostly selfish, focused only on their own interests.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But these two from the White Tower were different.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘If the mages of the White Tower in previous generations were like these two…!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maybe now I understand, at least a little, why the elders cherish the White Tower so much and why they still hold it dear to their hearts.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Translator - Clara]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Proofreader - Gun]\u003C\u002Fp>",2752,"2026-06-05T20:00:10.509Z",1,"novelbin.me","e0aaccc7df25e93a186ec86153c18949473856c5a79af60d6741c5fbf4075adc","the-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-chapter-293","the-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-chapter-292",375,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-cover.jpg"]